DPS Employees Honored For Outstanding Efforts

AUSTIN – The Texas Public Safety Commission and Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steven McCraw today presented a Life Saving Award and a Unit Citation to DPS employees. Driver License employee Carla Caldwell-Guidry was honored for potentially saving a baby’s life, and Panhandle area Highway Patrol troopers were recognized for excellence in drug and cash seizures.

“Our awards today highlight how one person or a group of people can impact so many lives in a positive way,” said Director McCraw. “Driver License employee Caldwell-Guidry directly assisted a family in dire need of help, potentially saving a life, and our Highway Patrol troopers in a three-county Panhandle area showed why DPS patrols are the first line of defense for communities against drug traffickers and other criminals.”

Driver License Customer Service Representative Carla Caldwell-Guidry received a Life Saving Award today for dislodging food from a choking baby’s throat. On April 10, 2012, Caldwell-Guidry was on duty outside the Townhurst Driver License Office in Houston when she noticed two frantic women holding a baby that appeared to be choking. Without hesitation, Caldwell-Guidry took control of the situation and performed the Heimlich Maneuver on the choking baby. When this wasn’t successful, Caldwell-Guidry turned the child over and dislodged a piece of candy from the baby’s throat with several light taps, preventing possible serious injury or death.

The Highway Patrol Sergeant Area based in the northern Panhandle received a Unit Citation today for its successful efforts in criminal and drug interdiction. The Department currently monitors six categories of data to track drug and currency seizures. In 2011, troopers in the area led the state in four of those categories, including the number of cases, total currency seized, cocaine seized and other substances seized. The Sergeant Area includes Carson, Hutchinson and Hansford counties and a portion of I-40. Since 2000, troopers in this area have seized $11.6 million dollars in currency and narcotics valued at more than $149 million. Sgt. Joe Medrano, Cpl. Oscar Esqueda, and Troopers Darrin Bridges, Casey Dawson, Jimmy Chatfield, Joshua Allen, Trevor Dillard, Donald Davis, Robert Dollar, Danny Nunez and Ed Longoria were all recognizedas part of the Unit Citation.